“ Plants breathe without lungs , digest without a stomach , see and hear without eyes and ears and think without a brain ,” said Stefano Mancuso .
My First GWA Conference : Practice for Future Ones BY TERESA SPEIGHT
95-97 percent . Why do mycorrhizae and plants help each other ? Because they each receive something in return . In exchange for plant-produced sugars , mycorrhizae funnel nutrients to plant roots .
Other plants have made a similar deal with nitrogen-fixing bacteria . Here , the trade is plant-produced carbohydrates for bacteria-produced nitrogen . The bottom line : If you can ’ t go to the food , have the food come to you .
A PLANT CANNOT RUN AWAY FROM PREDATORS
What do you do if you can ’ t escape from a threat ? Make yourself unpalatable . The existence of secondary compounds that can deter insect predation has been well documented . In his book Brilliant Green , Mancuso states that a plant will produce “ indigestible or even poisonous ” compounds to stop herbivorous insect feeding . And , to conserve resources , these compounds are synthesized “ exclusively inside the leaf that ’ s under attack and in the leaves next to it .”
If predation continues , a plant may send out a call for help . Jessica Walliser , horticulturist , writer and devoted bug lover , says that “ pest-infested plants emit semio-chemicals known as herbivore-induced plant volatiles ” to attract predatory insects to eat or parasitize the pests . In effect , the plant “ calls for help ,” emitting specific volatiles to match the predator to the pest .
In his Ohio State lecture , Mancuso suggested that this sensing of and satisfying differential needs — be it exchange of nutrients or calling in the cavalry — is akin to animal consciousness or sentience : He uses the term “ plant intelligence .” Not everyone agrees with his belief , but it ’ s an intriguing line of thought .
Debra Knapke is a teacher , lecturer , garden designer , photographer and gardener in Columbus , Ohio , who has been communicating with her plants for as long as she can remember . She is the co-author of five books and blogs at Heartland Gardening .
Teresa Speight attended her first GWA conference in Atlanta .
The 2016 GWA Annual Conference & Expo was a much-anticipated gathering . This conference of like-minded people , who are actively involved in sharing the love of all things green and growing , was like a family reunion of sorts , and I was the first-timer . People I ’ d only met on social media and others who knew of me welcomed me with open arms .
In my excitement to meet my mystery roommate Arlene , who had not arrived , I missed the initial newbie meet and greet . Thanks to Kathy Jentz , who was covertly making sure I was okay , I did not miss the trade show ; what a trade show it was ! From roses to camellias to hydrangeas , all of my favorite vendors were represented . And the sample plants — oh my ! Dining with new and old friends was a great opportunity to relax and take a breather .
I eagerly anticipated Saturday , as the first tours included the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see the Chihuly exhibit , the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Center and the Atlanta History Museum . There , I found a piece of art in the midst of the woodlands that stood for peace ; it made me pause and reflect on the gratitude of the moment .
WHAT I LEARNED FOR THE NEXT CONFERENCE A few of the wonderful takeaways ( other than the beautiful plants ):
• Rest up in advance and be on time . Things move quickly .
• Don ’ t underestimate the long-time members . They are fast , skilled and are more than willing to share ( Thank you , Ruth Clausen !).
• Invest in a good alternative-charging source for your digital devices .
• Make friends with the Kellen team ; that was quite important .
• Step out of your comfort zone and become a conversation starter . This is no time or group of people with whom to be shy .
• Bring an umbrella or pack a rain poncho . The best thing about being caught on a bus and missing private garden tours because my umbrella was on my bed at the hotel was getting to know a seasoned member or two . Private moments are priceless .
• Be prepared to meet just about anyone such as renowned plantsman Michael Dirr .
• Consider and attend the lectures that really speak to you . The programming was awesome ( Way to go education team !). I wish I had more time to ask questions of the presenters , but everyone had to keep to the schedule . That harkens back to rest up and be on time .
The best way to enjoy the conference and the organization is to get involved and spread the word . I know that I will continue to share the wonderful experience of what I saw , learned and what I hope to experience at future events . The best way other garden communicators can get excited about joining GWA is to hear other people ’ s experience .
Now I ’ m off to rest up for # GWA2017 !
Teresa Speight is a native Washingtonian , who started gardening as a youngster with her parents . After taking the Master Gardener course in Fredericksburg , Virginia , she became one of the founding farmers of the Eitt Farm — the first transitionally organic CSA in Stafford County , Virginia . For seven years she was head gardener for the city of Fredericksburg , ran an environmental club for children and taught vermicomposting . As a Steward if this Earth , Teresa speaks on shade gardening and saving our earth .
PHOTO COURTESY CAITLIN NORTON
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